Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have been "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to use an traditional four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a back six in the final stages as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously said that even the Pope could force him to change his system, Amorim insists the ability to play with varied formations has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an style. Currently is a separate time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we need adjust, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press talk about changing the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our system, then is the opportunity to evolve.
"We are going to grow into a better team because when all the personnel return, we are not going to play with a back three exclusively."
Injury Issues Continue
With only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted roster, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to return after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
